This chapter contains the account of Nabal and his wife Abigail. It also mentions in two simple sentences: “Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.” (v1)
“Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved… So David sent ten young men… When David’s young men came… Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?’ So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, ‘Every man strap on his sword!’ And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David…” (v3,5a,9-13 abr)
In summary, David’s party is encamped on the outskirts of Carmel and is guarding the area, including this rich man’s flocks. In return for their protection, David asks Nabal for some food for his men, but Nabal responds harshly (v1-12). Angered, David arms himself and 400 men with the intention to kill Nabal and his household. Nabal’s wife Abigail hears of her husband’s foolishness and meets David outside the city with a gift of food and a petition to spare their lives (v13-20).
Abigail wisely frames the petition as a favor to David, correctly stating that it’s not God’s will for David to have bloodguilt (Nabal’s murder) on his hands (v21-31). Immediately David accepts this, and praises the Lord for preventing him from murdering Nabal, and gladly takes the gift of food. David leaves Nabal and his household in God’s hands, and does not bring any harm to them (v32-35). We find out that a few days later God strikes down Nabal for his wickedness, and Abigail becomes David’s wife (v36-42).
Do you have someone in your life that helps prevent you from doing foolish (sinful) things? Abigail was a God-honoring woman who had the discernment to prevent David from sinning. David, realizing he could use this kind of help, marries her once she is widowed. Do you have an ‘Abigail’ in your life? A wise and discerning person who can be a sounding board for your aspirations?
Whenever I’m making decisions which I deem significant, I will seek the wise counsel of those around me – my wife, and my mentors (my trusted brothers in Christ). I will be the first to admit that I don’t know everything, and I can’t see everything. This is especially true when I’m blinded by the situation (or my emotions) like David was.
A large portion of the Book of Proverbs affirms the need for seeking / offering wise counsel. For example: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Pro 11:14) “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Pro 28:26) “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” (Pro 15:31)
My encouragement for today is to invest in relationships with wise and discerning people. God has given all of us the Body of Christ, the church, as a gift to help us remain on the path of righteousness.
I also encourage us to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us and offer others wisdom and discernment when they come to us looking for guidance. It’s critical that when we’re offering guidance we don’t push our personal opinion or agenda, and we allow the Spirit to provide the words and wisdom. Human / worldly wisdom is what often gets us into trouble in the first place.
Father God, our Righteous and Sovereign King, great and mighty is Your name. Heaven and earth declare Your wisdom and discernment, and we admit that our own worldly wisdom is sorely lacking. Spirit please guide us as we seek and offer godly counsel. May we engage with our coheirs in Christ in meaningful ways, that bring glory to the Father and encouragement to our sibling. May we honor You Father with our actions and words, every day of our lives, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training